I too found one this year on the good ole eBay. I had played with mine for hours on end it seemed when new. I don't remember what I ever did with it, but if it suffered the fate of most of my toys, then it was torn apart when it began malfunctioning so that I could fix it. My new acquisition seems to have suffered the same fate as most, one gear is popping and making the "GRIP" function jump a bit, but it is still fun. I had bought mine from a seller in Louisiana and they apparently saw some water from storms as the original box is pretty badly water stained and it still had the OLD Radio Shack batteries installed. They exploded acid all over the battery box and ruined the contacts, but I have rewired it to accept double A batteries instead.

Finding this site is a big walk down memory lane. I have to give it to my old man, I used this thing to play him at a game of chess when I was a kid. I can't even imagine how long it took to finish, but he hung in there with me.

I had (still have somewhere) a light gray one back in the day...I remember seeing a big robotic on tv at a science and technology showing. Then I got a minature robot arm (my armatron). I thought I was one of the men I saw in the white laboratory coats LOL!!!! Once again..Love this website!!!!!

I had one of these from radio shack! I completely forgot about it until now. I would play with for hours....I would try to make hold my fork to eat dinner or hold my toothbrush and brush my teeth. The clamp eventually gave out and would make that annoying clicking sound and turn only a quarter inch. That toy was awesome!

I still have this thing. They came out with another one several years later that was mobile, and you used a remote control with a wire to run it. I wanted to get one but money and opportunity never coincided. :-(

I've been a heavy equipment operator for over 30 years. When I was 20 I bought one cause it was cool. Real excavators that I ran at the time were manuel controls. Now they are pilot controls just like the armatron they were ahead ot there time. I still have mine I still get it out 50 something and still playin.

Remember how awesome Radio Shack used to be? You could get all kinds of electronic lab kits and stuff....anyway....this was, as Ralphie put it, "The best Christmas present I ever got or ever would receive." Probly the only time Santa actually brought me exactly what I asked for.

I got my Armatron for Christmas about 23 years ago.I wore out so many batteries in that thing.I used it for everything. My Mom had a big set of Dominoes and I used to build (in my mind)entire cities complete with skyscrapers and dinkie cars for traffic. Then I taped a 'Bonker'(big marble) to a piece of string and used it for a wrecking ball.I'd destroy the whole city,and do it all over again.lol Hours and hours of fun !! Still have mine in the original box with all the original pieces. Saving it for my son who is 1 year old right now. Wonder how much it's worth nowadays? :0)

This was an awesome toy. Being impatient with it's slow movement, I learned how to jump the contacts and hook it up to 6-volt lantern batteries in series to speed it up! Unfortunately, I think this is what burnt out the motor :(

I got one of these for christmas in about 1981. the motor burned out so i replaced it in 1994 and i still have it now in the origanal box. Had it out last year and i can still operate it as well as i could years ago. i'm now 32 years old it's like riding a bike you just never forget!!

you start by unscrewing the center screw!
this one screw holds the hole arm to the base!
so dont pick it up by the arm!
you will see all the in ternal gears this thang was a machanacal work of art to run on one or two moters!

Just a quick question...I picked one up at an antique store for $5.00 because it did not turn on, took the back off, fixed a loose wire and it works! I read above that some people have had problems with the claw skipping when the grip is opening and closing and were able to fix it by aligning the gears to keep them from slipping. Mine does that as well. Are there any markings on the gears that show the proper aligment or is it just trial and error? This toy is very cool by the way, I am sure this inspired a lot of kids to grow up to become engineers or scientists.

The Armatron was licensed to Radio Shack by Tomy; Tomy first manufactured it, but then Radio Shack picked it up while Tomy dropped it from their lineup. Many more were created by Radio Shack than by Tomy, but it was originally another Tomy robot toy (though not really a part of the Omnibot line).

Bought one for my son in the 80's and brought it out the loft last night, box is perfect as is the robot, we are going to have a retro Christmas with all the old toys out again. Amazing how just one drive motor can move the arm in six axis with forward and backwards plus two speed on the raise and rotate arm movements!

I found one at goodwill and it still works. But the clamp makes a clicking sound when opening/closing. Really fun time. But the big question I want to know is...... How much is it worth? Oh well... Untill I know its my new favorite toy!

I recently tried to fire up my old Armatron for my neice, but it had the old batteries which must have ben in there for years. I replaced the batteries but there is no power, The contacts are clean, I have dismantled it and tested the internal contacts but I think the motor has died. Any idea where I could get a replacement motor? I think everything else is in perfect working order since I last played with it about 20 years ago

My second husband had one of these. We had lots of fun with it. I have it now, and it still works just fine. I took it when I divorced him. My husband now plays with it once in a while, but mostly it sits on his computer desk's credenza.

I have my armatron up in my closet still. My dad bought it for me for my 7th birthday,30 years ago. I used to pick up my hot wheels cars with it. Was a great toy. Needs a little work, may give it to my son for his 7 th. would never sell it.